ASK THE INSPECTOR: Pros and cons to humidifier use

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/02/2012 (4977 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

QUESTION: We live in an apartment. In the winter it is absolutely essential for us to humidify the dry air. We use portable humidifiers, but I am questioning their safety, health-wise. I have read that there are bacteria issues and I sometimes experience discomfort when the humidifiers are turned on.

Is there specific care of the humidifiers that you recommend? Should the filters be moistened before use? Also, is there a viable alternative to using these humidifiers in an apartment? Please comment on this issue.

Bonnie Tregobov

ANSWER: There is much debate about the need to add moisture to the air in our homes in the winter. This issue will certainly be a divisive one whether you are talking to health-care providers, building science specialists, or homeowners.

While the jury is still out on this topic, several devices on the market that will add moisture to the air in our homes and raise the relative humidity may not be safe if they’re not properly maintained. The fact that you feel any discomfort when using your humidifier should tell you that it is a device that perhaps should not be used.

You say that it’s “absolutely essential” to humidify the air in your apartment, but you don’t give a specific reason. I assume you feel that you have to raise the relative humidity (RH) for health or comfort reasons. But if you feel ill effects when you raise the RH, why is it critical to do this?

If you’re like me, you may find that your skin is very dry at this time of year and more susceptible to scrapes, cuts or even cracking and bleeding knuckles. Other ill effects can be dry or runny nose and sore throats related to a lack of humidity. But if you have any or all of these concerns, there may be other ways to help with the symptoms without pumping moisture into the air with a portable device.

For cracking skin and bleeding knuckles when the weather gets very dry and cold, try applying hand lotion liberally at bedtime and other times during the day. Since washing dishes or frequently immersing your hands in water can make this problem a lot worse, wear rubber gloves when doing these chores.

With dry throat and nasal problems, humidification of the air may help but may also cause some of the problems you are experiencing. Your discomfort may be due to mould or bacteria growing in the water or media used in the humidifier. A better solution may be regular ingestion of hot liquids, particularly herbal teas, to help your body cope with the dryness. Sucking on lozenges or hard candies can make your throat feel better.

Many experts say very low humidity is the ideal condition for homes and occupants. This dry environment, seen in our cold northern climate and southern deserts, can be helpful to individuals with mould allergies and other ailments. Conversely, I’ve heard health-care professionals and others recommend the use of humidifiers in homes to minimize common-cold symptoms and throat and skin issues.

Who is right? My own view is that individuals react to the different environments in different ways. While some may find relief from symptoms when it’s very dry, others feel better when the RH is higher.

Personally, I find the conditions in the southern U.S. desert, which I recently visited during a conference, to affect me with abnormal nasal congestion, particularly in the mornings. I also know asthma sufferers who have severe problems in the winter, when the RH is particularly low, or in dryer climates. But, I’ve also seen others with respiratory problems affected by mould allergies, particularly from dirty humidifiers or damp living conditions.

Another concern with using mechanical equipment to add moisture to the air in your home is the effects on the building itself. If you artificially raise the RH in your home too high in the winter, you risk excess condensation on windows, doors, foundations and exterior walls. Having too much moisture in the air in your home can allow very easy condensation on cool surfaces, which can lead to mould growth and rot.

These conditions may not only affect your health, but result in costly repairs and renovations. Care must be taken to improve the ventilation in any home that has artificial humidification to prevent these problems from occurring.

Part of your issue may be the heating system installed in your apartment. Many buildings of this type have electric or hot-water baseboard radiant heat. While these provide safe, comfortable heat, there is no forced-air component to move the air in your home. This means that a humidifier may create stagnant, damp air where it is located, providing an ideal situation for mould growth.

Why you are feeling discomfort when your humidifier is on is likely due to bacteria or mould in its wet components. Regular cleaning or replacement of absorptive media and filters in the unit may help, but improving the air movement in the home, perhaps with ceiling fans, may further reduce the problem. Alternatively, stop using the portable humidifier if it’s making you uncomfortable, and try some other ways to minimize the effects of dry, winter air inside your home.

Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors – Manitoba (www.cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at (204) 291-5358 or check out his website at www.trainedeye.ca.

trainedeye@iname.com